Har-Ber Rebounds From Loss

Landan Jones, right, of Springdale Har-Ber snatches the rebound Friday during the third quarter of the game against Rogers Heritage in Springdale.

Landan Jones, right, of Springdale Har-Ber snatches the rebound Friday during the third quarter of the game against Rogers Heritage in Springdale.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

— Springdale Har-Ber didn’t let its loss to rival Springdale High linger.

The Wildcats rebounded from that 71-53 defeat Tuesday and beat Rogers Heritage 65-51 Friday at Wildcat Arena. The victory helps Har-Ber (7-12, 2-3) in its effort to gain one of the six playoffs spots in the 7A/6A-West.

That Figures

1 — 3-pointers made in 10 attempts by the Springdale girls

5 — 3-pointers made by Rogers Heritage sophomore Emilie Jobst

39 — Combined points by Justin Malott in his last two games

Justin Malott finished with 20 points after scoring 19 in the loss at Springdale. The 6-foot-3 senior was particularly effective in the third quarter when he scored 12 points. He hit consecutive 3-pointers and later added three baskets inside to put the Wildcats ahead 42-24 after three quarters.

Alex Rice finished with 12 points for Har-Ber, which outscored Heritage 20-6 in the third quarter.

“This game was an opportunity to bounce back and get going in the right direction on our home floor,” Har-Ber coach Adam Simmons said. “So, I was very pleased with how our guys came out and battled. Justin set the tone, and we were able to get a lot of people involved.”

Play Of The Game: An assist by Austin Fox to Rice was a good example of the unselfish play Har-Ber showed Friday. Fox fed Rice a perfect bounce pass, and Rice made the layup and was fouled. Rice then added the free throw to complete a three-point play.

Players of the Week: Malott’s second 3-pointer in the third quarter led to another 3-pointer by Fox and prompted a Heritage timeout with the Wildcats leading 34-20. Fittingly, Malott ended the game with two free throws with six seconds left to set the final margin of victory.

Notable: The Har-Ber girls were beaten badly, 56-38 by Rogers Heritage, after starting the night tied for first place in the conference. Sophomore guard Emilie Jobst made five 3-pointers for Heritage (14-4, 4-1) and finished with 17 points. Har-Ber (12-8, 3-2) converted only 11 of 39 field goal attempts, including 1 of 10 3-pointers, and was held to eight points in the first and third quarters.

The Lingo: “You’d think when you’re tied for first, your kids would get up for a game. Obviously, we didn’t so we’re going to have to go back and regroup.”

Sandy Wright

Springdale Har-Ber girls coach

Up Next: Har-Ber will play Tuesday at Fayetteville. Fayetteville teams swept Springdale High on Friday with the boys winning 63-42 and the girls winning 53-35. The Purple’Dogs are 5-0 in conference, while the Lady Wildcats and Lady Bulldogs are both 3-2 in the league.